One of the beautiful things about being a single mum is I get to create our own special traditions. For my little, two-person family, Anzac Day is one of those traditions. Our kids might not fully understand the significance of this important day just yet. However, I believe in planting the seeds early: showing them what it means to honour, remember, and be grateful. But how do we commemorate Anzac Day with kids?
Why Celebrate Anzac Day with Kids
Anzac Day, held each year on April 25th, is one of the most significant national events across Australia and New Zealand. It is a day to remember the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) at the Turkish Gallipoli Peninsula on 25 April 1915 during World War I. Out of the 295,000 Australians who served on the Western Front, 46,000 lost their lives. The first Anzac Day was held on 25 April 1916.
But more than just a history lesson, Anzac Day is a time for remembering the sacrifices of the soldiers of Australia and New Zealand who served and lost their lives. Through the Anzac Memorial, you can teach your children about appreciating the freedoms we have, courage, and mateship.
Yes, it would be nice to visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery, or the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. But there are also so many ways to commemorate Anzac Day with kids in age-appropriate and inexpensive ways.
How to Commemorate Anzac Day with Kids
Light Up the Dawn Services
I remember attending Anzac Day dawn services conducted by an RSL sub-branch with my parents as a child. I watched the Anzac Day march and saw officials laying wreaths, and I listened to The Last Post. Those moments stuck with me, and now I want to pass that sense of reverence down to my daughter. While she’s too little for an Anzac Day service just yet, there are still plenty of ways to engage her in the meaning of the day of remembrance.
Anzac Day dawn services will be held in different parts of Australia and New Zealand, where you can pay your respects to our soldiers. Our participation in these services and marches means a lot to our veteran soldiers and their families. You will also find family-friendly events in your city and books for kids in your community library to commemorate the service and sacrifice of the Australian and New Zealander soldiers who died in all wars. If you and your kids can, attend a dawn service commencing at 5:30 in the morning at a war memorial.
Read Primary and Secondary Sources on Anzac Day
The simplest is watching a small part of the Anzac service on the kid's news on TV in your PJs while snuggling with a warm Milo. You can also browse the Australian War Memorial website to learn about Anzac Day's meaning. Then, you can head out for a local community march or other Anzac Day events if your kiddos are up for it.
You can also spend some time talking about what being brave and kind means. It’s a great way to connect this special day to things they can relate to, like how the Armed Forces servicemen and servicewomen helped each other, just like we help our friends and family. If your little one is older, you can read Anzac Day books about Australian defence forces and peacekeeping operations. You can also look at old photos of Australian and New Zealand soldiers and nurses together in your local library's Anzac Day display.
Anzac Day Biscuits
Baking Anzac biscuits is probably my favourite Anzac Day tradition. There’s something so special about making a recipe that has been passed down for generations. My daughter and her cousins love helping (mostly by sneaking spoonfuls of the oat mixture). We talk about how these biscuits were made during wartime because they lasted a long time and were sent to Anzac soldiers.
My family keeps it simple — oats, flour, golden syrup, butter, and coconut — and lets the kids stir and shape them. Then, we share them with neighbours, just like how Australians shared what little they had during tough times. We love this Anzac biscuit recipe from RecipeTinEats.
Aside from the commemorative biscuits, you can also cook recipes celebrating the Anzacs.
Anzac Day AFL
Footy is a big part of the commemoration in Australia, and the Anzac Day clash between Collingwood and Essendon is a tradition in many homes. While I’m not the biggest footy fan, my nephew absolutely loves it, so we make it a family event. Last year was the first time I took my daughter to the game. My nephew taught my daughter the basics of the game, and I enjoyed watching them get excited about the Anzac Medal being awarded to the best player of 2024. It’s a great way to introduce kids to the values of teamwork and perseverance that Anzac Day represents.
Remembering Anzac Day with Kids (cont.)
Anzac Day Badges and Shirts
Whenever we go to the shops in April, my daughter loves pointing out the poppies and badges at the counter. We always buy one to support the veterans, and I explain to her that the money helps people who served our country. She proudly wears her badge all day, even if it ends up on her toy rabbit by the afternoon.
Aside from badges, you and your kids can also wear Anzac apparel and accessories for the whole day. Wearing a poppy or a sprig of rosemary on your shirt is also a simple way to commemorate this important day without spending.
Make Crafts on Anzac Day with Kids
Crafts are another wonderful way to engage little ones and great classroom activities, too. This year, my niece's class held a poppy wreath contest using red paper and glue. We are helping cut out the poppies, and the little ones stick them onto a paper plate to make a wreath. If your kids are older, they might enjoy painting a poppy field or making a paper soldier silhouette. Crafts can also give them informal lessons about the history of Anzac Day.
You can also make a ‘Lest We Forget’ sign with cardboard and coloured pencils and place it in the front window. It’s a small but meaningful way to show respect to Australia's soldiers who fought during the First World War and other wars.
Help with Anzac Day Decorations in the Classroom
Make Anzac Day more meaningful for schools by helping your child's teachers decorate their classrooms. For my niece's Anzac Day 2024 remembrance, her mum donated paper poppies made of paper and Lest We Forget buntings for her classroom. These simple things can help our students to understand the importance of this day in the Australian calendar.
Final Thoughts: Commemorating Anzac Day with Kids
Anzac Day is a day to commemorate the anniversary of the Gallipoli landings. But to commemorate the Anzacs doesn’t have to be a solemn or overwhelming event for children. With the right activities, it can be a day of learning, connection, and gratitude. Instead of forcing our little ones to attend commemorative services, we can integrate the significance of Anzac Day in child-friendly ways.
Whether it’s through baking, crafting, or watching footy together, little moments help shape their understanding of the bravery of Australians and New Zealanders who have served and continue to serve these two countries. And as a single mum, I love that I get to create these traditions with my daughter. She’ll hopefully carry these with her, just as I did from my childhood.
